Clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism characterized by the use of three cooperating power members arranged to simply and positively control structure which positions the clutch for servicing without the need for any superstructure above such clutch.

United States Patent Ashby CLUTCH REBUILDING AND TESTING MECHANISMInventor: Robert L. Ashby, 3018 Ashwood Avenue,

Evansville, Ind. 47714 Filed: June 19, 1970 Appl. No.: 47,766

u.s. Cl .L ..73/118, 269/25 Int. Cl. ..G0lm 13/02 Field of Search ..73/118; 269/25, 34

151 3,654,805 [451 Apr. 11,1972

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,452,591 7/1969 Phillipsetal. ..73/118 Primary Examiner-Jeny W. Myracle Attorney-Warren D.Flackbert [57] ABSTRACT A clutch rebuilding and testing mechanismcharacterized by the use of three cooperating power members arranged tosimply and positively control structure which positions the clutch forservicing without the need for any superstructure above such clutch.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 1 I972 3, 654, 805

SHEET 2 [IF 3 IN VENTOR 4 Rods/9r z. AS 8 BY Z -%W ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR11 I972 3,654,805 4 SHEET 3 BF 3 YZC I HE. E

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INVENTOR Rose/v1 1. Amway BY Z/u A ATTORNEY CLUTCH REBUILDING ANDTESTING MECHANISM As is known, a need exists for equipment for testing,adjusting and/or rebuilding clutches, such as the type described andclaimed in US Pat. No. 3,473,373 of the inventor herein and having thesame title. While the equipment of the aforesaid patent has providedexcellent results in use, it has become evident that a more simplifiedapproach to the positioning of the clutch for servicing would beadvantageous.

Accordingly, while the end results of the invention herein are the sameas those of the earlier US. Pat. No. 3,473,373, a new approach isprovided for clutch servicing. Briefly, the invention employs threepower members, such as hydraulic cylinders with associated shafts orpistons, referred to as the upper power member, the intermediate powermember and the lower power member. The upper power member provides theservicing function for the mechanism, similar to that shown in US. Pat.No. 3,473,373, while the intermediate and lower power members serve thepositioning function.

In this connection, a series of upstanding arms having hooklike orcurved end portions for engaging the rim of a clutch are pivotallymounted around the periphery of the upper surface of an upper platemember. The aforesaid arms pass through a series of eye members carriedby a ring, where the latter connects to a lower plate member through asupport framework. The lower plate member is movable through operationof the lower power member.

In other words, as the lower power member functions, i.e., its pistonmoves upwardly, the lower plate member moves upwardly, as well as thering, forcing an inward pivotal movement of the arms to a position wherethe hooklike end portions thereof are disposed above the rim of theclutch. At such time, the intermediate power member is caused tooperate, its piston or shaft moving downwardly, forcing the hooklike endportions of the arms into a clamping relationship with the rim of theclutch.

The same end results are achieved through an alternative embodiment ofthe invention, representing a savings in vertical space. In thisconnection, the lower power member is mounted off one side of the upperplate member, the piston thereof connecting, through other structure, tothe ring. As before, actuation of the lower power member moves the ringupwardly, forcing the arms to an operative position, awaiting actuationof the intermediate power member.

With an arrangement of either type, no superstructure is required forpositioning the clutch into a servicing condition, where, it might benoted, the working surface of the mechanism includes radial slotsthrough which the hooklike end portions of the arms extend to accomplishthe preceding desired pivoting and clamping function. As mentioned, theupper power member is utilized to effect the servicing of a clutch afterpositioning.

A better understanding of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation,partly fragmentary, showing the mechanism of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly fragmentary, showing the upper platemember forming part of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation, also partly fragmentary, showing anarrangement for mounting one of the arms on the upper plate member ofFIG. 2; 7

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lower plate member of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the ring forming part of theinvention, showing the manner in which an arm extends through one of theeye portions mounted thereon;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, also in verticalsection, showing an arm extending through an eye portion on the ring ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the working surface showing details of theradial slots and a broken line outline of a clutch;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation, partly fragmentary, showing analternative arrangement of the invention; and,

FIG. 9 is a top plan view, looking down in FIG. 8, and also partlyfi'agmentary, showing further details of the alternative arrangement ofsuch figure, with certain components removed for drawing clarity.

For the purposes of promoting a better understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated devices, and such furtherapplications of the principles of the invention as illustrated thereinbeing contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art towhich the invention relates.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the invention typically comprises a framework12 defined by legs 12a supporting a working surface 12b, the latterbeing in the form of a disc having a series of radial slots 12cextending therethrough (see FIG. 7). The working surface 12b supportsupper power member 14 on the undersurface thereof, the piston or shaft14a thereof being adapted to receive an adapter or pressure plate 15,and, typically, a horseshoe washer 16, all of which are known in theart.

Intermediate power member 19 is bolted onto the lower end of upper powermember 14, where piston or shaft thereof extends downwardly and isreceived in an opening in upper plate member 20, where a shoulder and abolt 19b serve to provide a positive assembly. Lower power member 24 issecured to the undersurface of the upper plate member 20 and its pistonor shaft 24a is secured to lower plate member 22, assembly again beingaccomplished through a shoulder and a bolt 24b.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper plate member 20 has a seriesof peripheral openings 20a therethrough adapted to position mountingelements 25, the latter each having an opening therethrough forreceiving an end of a clamping arm 27. Each arm 27 is retained forpivotal action through the use of a cotter pin 25a.

Frame members 30 have the lower end of each secured to lower platemember 22 and the upper end secured to a ring 32. The ring 32 typicallyincludes a series of threadedly positioned angled eyes 35, each eye 35having an opening through which a portion of an arm 27 is received forsliding action. As should be apparent, the upper end of each arm 27curves downwardly, being adapted to releasably engage a rim defined on aclutch 40 under process.

In use, the clutch 40 which is to be serviced is positioned on theworking surface 12b. When lower power member 24 is actuated, the lowerplate member 22 moves upwardly, as does the ring 32. Such action affectsinward radial pivotal movement of the arms 27, so that the hooklike orcurved upper ends thereof are disposed in a position above the rim ofclutch 40. Intermediate power member 19 is then actuated, meaning thatits piston or shaft 19a moves upper plate member 20 downwardly, causinga clamping relationship between the upper ends of arms 27 and the rim ofclutch 40. Actually, the ring 32, the upper plate member 20 and thelower plate member 24 all move simultaneously upon the movement ofpiston or shaft 19a of intermediate power member 19.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a vertical space saving arrangement forthe invention is illustrated, where comparable components bear the samereference numerals. In the FIGS. 8 and 9 embodiment, a support member 40extends outwardly from the upper plate member 20. A power member 24,substituted for lower power member 24, is disposed on support member 40,the piston 24a of which connecting to a lifting assembly 42, typicallydefined by a generally horizontal plate member 42a, struts 42b and asteadying member 420 depending from plate member 42a. The steadyingmember 42c reciprocates in a cylinder 42d adjacent power member 24. Thestruts 42b are secured to the ring 32.

The end results during use are the same as in connection with theearlier discussed invention embodiment. In other words, when powermember 24' is actuated, its piston 24a moves upwardly, where, at thesame time, ring 32 moves upwardly. The latter upward movement causes thearms 27 to move in a position over the rim of the clutch, where furtheroperation is as discussed earlier.

The invention accomplishes positive placement of a clutch for testing,rebuilding or checking. The upper power member 14 is used in connectionwith the preceding functions, all in a known manner. As stated above,the invention obviates the need for any superstructure above the workingsurface and, therefore, provides a minimum of parts and an even morepositive action over equipment already known. The invention is, ofcourse, susceptible to various changes, such as proportioning, specifictype of power member employed, configuration of the ring or of the platemembers, or the like, and, thus, the preceding description should beconsidered illustrative.

I claim:

1. A clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism comprising a framework, areceiving surface for said clutch on said framework, said receivingsurface having radially slotted portions, a first power member mountedon said framework, a second power member secured to said first powermember and having a shaft positioning a first plate member, a thirdpower member mounted on said first plate member and having a shaftpositioning a second plate member, a plurality of clamping armspivotally mounted on said first plate member and having free endsextending through said radially slotted portions in said receivingsurface, and a ring connecting to said second plate member, saidclamping arms pivoting inwardly upon actuation of said third powermember and movement of said ring, and said free ends of said clampingarms engaging said clutch upon actuation of said second power member.

2. The clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where saidsecond power member is selectively actuated after said third powermember is actuated.

3. The clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where saidring is above said first plate member.

4. The clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where framemembers interconnect said ring and said second plate member.

5. The clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where saidclamping arms extend through eye portions on said ring.

6. The clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where saidfirst power member, said second power member and said third power memberare in alignment.

7. A clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism comprising a framework, areceiving surface for said clutch on said framework, said receivingsurface having radially slotted portions, at first power member mountedon said framework, a second power member secured to said first powermember and having a shaft positioning a first plate member, a thirdpower member mounted on said first plate member, a plurality of clampingarms pivotally mounted on said first plate member and having free endsextending through said radially slotted portions in said receivingsurface, and a ring connecting to said third power member, said clampingarms pivoting inwardly upon actuation of said third power member andmovement of said ring, and said free ends of said clamping arms engagingsaid clutch upon actuation of said second power member.

1. A clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism comprising a framework, areceiving surface for said clutch on said framework, said receivingsurface having radially slotted portions, a first power member mountedon said framework, a second power member secured to said first powermember and having a shaft positioning a first plate member, a thirdpower member mounted on said first plate member and having a shaftpositioning a second plate member, a plurality of clamping armspivotally mounted on said first plate member and having free endsextending through said radially slotted portions in said receivingsurface, and a ring connecting to said second plate member, saidclamping arms pivoting inwardly upon actuation of said third powermember and movement of said ring, and said free ends of said clampingarms engaging said clutch upon actuation of said second power member. 2.The clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where said secondpower member is selectively actuated after said third power member isactuated.
 3. The clutch rebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1where said ring is above said first plate member.
 4. The clutchrebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where frame membersinterconnect said ring and said second plate member.
 5. The clutchrebuilding and testing mechanism of claim 1 where said clamping armsextend through eye portions on said ring.
 6. The clutch rebuilding andtesting mechanism of claim 1 where said first power member, said secondpower member and said third power member are in alignment.
 7. A clutchrebuilding and testing mechanism comprising a framework, a receivingsurface for said clutch on said framework, said receiving surface havingradially slotted portions, a first power member mounted on saidframework, a second power member secured to said first power member andhaving a shaft positioning a first plate member, a third power membermounted on said first plate member, a plurality of clamping armspivotally mounted on said first plate member and having free endsexteNding through said radially slotted portions in said receivingsurface, and a ring connecting to said third power member, said clampingarms pivoting inwardly upon actuation of said third power member andmovement of said ring, and said free ends of said clamping arms engagingsaid clutch upon actuation of said second power member.